About The Foundation

Established in 2011 by Dr. Michael H. Tirgan, the KRF is a non for profit medical research and educational organization.

The mission of KRF is to foster scientific research in keloid disorder and to promote education, advocacy, and service to those who suffer from this disorder.

KRF's vision is by 2015, to be a well established, well funded, fully functional, research and educational organization with:

Over 10,000 members

Over 50 scientist members

Have 5 or more active clinical trials

Have 5 or more active basic science research projects

Establish its tissue bank with over 500 preserved specimens

KRF needs your support to achieve these goals.

To have an impact on keloid, KRF is committed to the “Bench to Bedside” approach and research in the following areas:

Genomics Analysis of Keloid

Proteomics Analysis of Keloid

Signal Transduction Pathways

Development of Animal Model

Development of Keloid Cell Lines

Epidemiological and Ethnic Analysis

And more...

As a non for profit entity, KRF needs your support. Here is how you can help:

Become a Member

Join us as a Volunteer

Join us as a Researcher or a Clinician

Help us with Public or Private Fund Raising

Provide us with your Ideas

Newly Diagnosed Patients

KELOIDS AND HYPERTROPHIC SCARS

Keloids are formed from excessive scar tissue formation at the site of prior skin injury. Keloids have a tendency to extend beyond the area of the original skin injury or wound. The cause of keloid formation, and why some people are prone to it and some are not, is not well known. African-Americans are more prone to develop scars and keloids than other ethnicities. Keloids vary in size and can occur on any part of body. Keloids can occur as a result and subsequent to a variety of injuries to the skin:

Skin burns

Acne

Chicken Pox

Ear Piercing

Scratches

Surgical Cuts

Vaccination Site

FACTS ABOUT KELOIDS

Keloids are fairly common in young African-Americans and, in severe forms, can become disabling. Size and location of keloids determine the symptoms and the issues that they can cause. Some keloids are small and cause a cosmetic concern only. Larger keloids, especially when located in a critical part of the body, can interfere with daily life, sleep, or other body functions. Large keloids in the earlobe can interfere with sleep as well as hearing and the ability to discern direction of the sound. Treatments for keloids depend on their location, size and thickness. Surgery has traditionally been counterproductive since removing one scar or keloid can result in formation of another one on the same site.

Successful treatment of keloids requires patience and perseverance. As keloids are chronic skin conditions, their treatment also takes time. Each keloid may require more than one method of treatment to achieve a desirable result. Choice of treatment for a given Keloid will depend on its location, size and thickness.

Progress in keloid research has been slow. Since 2012, two studies were opened at Rockefeller University with the intention of learning more about the basic science of the disorder. Enrollment into the studies has been slow, with very few patients volunteering. We would suggest for those who are interested in participating in keloid research to contact Rockefeller University's Clinical Research Support Office, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, Telephone: 1-800-RUCARES (800-782-2737).
A genetic research collaboration program was initiated with Washington University, Saint Luis, Missouri, with the intention of performing DNA sequencing on the genome of keloid patient. Close to 65 blood samples were collected and sent to the Genetics Department. The DNA sequencing is still underway.